Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-11-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Nov. %, 1887.

WHOHtN0tU YIN LEI En-.
WASHINGTON, Nov. %, 1887.
The Congress about to convene /
regard in many respects as the most
important that ever assembled under
our form of government. Never be-
fore has single contingency existed
where the party in power propose to
elect speaker whose right to a seat
is very questionable, and will be
most seriously contested. There are
numerous indications to strengthen
the belief that the Administration in
tends to hold a tight rein, and needs
just such a man as Mr.. Carlisle in
the chair to effectually carry out the
programme. The possibility that the
election of the President may be
thrown into the House, renders the
organization of that body of the ut
most Importance. While the Re
publicans have a majority of the
States in the House, the Democrats
have a majority of the members. 1t
only needs change of two seats to
give the Democrats a majority of the
States, and Mr.. Carlisle's committee
on elections will be organized for
that purpose. Indiana, for instance,
has seven Republicans and six Dem
ocrats, and the seat of one of the
Republicans is contested. Suppose
Carlisle's partisan committee seats
the Democrat, Indiana then passes
into the Democratic column. So
with California, where there is
another contest. and so with Mich
gan, where there are strong intima'
tions that case will be made up,
The Administration is ready to re-
sort to desperate means to hold its
power, and the struggle will be
fierce one.
Several weeks ago I alluded to
Mr.. Mills, of Texas, a radical free
trader, as tn probable chairman OF
the committee on Ways and Means
He says the question is settled, and
that he has that committee, which
signifies red-hot war on the present
tariff system. 1 want to predict far
Their that it will end in a buster, and
that after all there will be no very
material changes. The Democratic
party is good on "dress parade"
but sadly deficient in materializing
legislation.
During the war you will remem-
Der that a large amount of paper
fractional currency, was issued, and
the books at the Treasury show that
there is still outstanding over
S15, 100000 of that currency, though
it was called in more than twelve
years ago. There is none in circula
ton now, and the question comes
up, where is it, Has it been de
stroyed, or is 1t held in bits by the
people as souvenirs In this con.
nection it is estimated that $4,000.
600 of currency is annually destroy.
ed byfire and ship wreck, and pos
sibly there is we're this fractional
currency has gone.
Candidates for subordinate official
position in the organization of the
next House, are multiplying daily
The Southern States are turning
them out by the score, and one
would think from the clamor that
that is the only section of the coun,
try that can furnish good Democra.
tic material. They want everything
from clerk to postmaster. North
ern Democrats are disguised with
this exhibition of arrogance, and
threaten lively times in caucus il
this packing process is to continue
For the past three days there has
been all manner of rumors in regard
to Cabinet changes, but up to this
writing no decisive action. The
most plausible story Is that Villas
will remain where he is; Senator
Colquitt, of Georgia, take Lamar'S
place, and Governor Gordon succeed
Colquitt in the Senate. Colquitt is
not talking man, Gordon is, and
the Administration needs more o.
that sort in the Senate to meet the
Republican giants.
Ex.Secretary Chandler, OF the
Navy, now Senator from New Hamp
shire, has several big guns loaded
which he will let off in time about
certain naval contracts under this
Administration. Chandler never
talks unless he has something to say
and Secretary Whitney may have tt
stand up and explain some very du
bious transactions. 1t is understood
here that Chandler is we'll equipped
for the fray.
In his annual report, the Inspector
General of steamboats, estimates
that during the past year 100000,
900 passengers were carried or
steam vessels, and out of that vast
aggregate, only 900 lives were lost
This would indicate steamboats, as
the safest mode of travel.
Figures at the Post Office Depart
ment show that the amount of money
sent by money orders and posta
notes during the past year reaches
nearly $780, 100000.
1t seems fabulous, yet the records
in the Office of the Commissioner OF
Railroads actually show that over
eight thousand millions of dollars
are represented in the railroad sys
tenn of this country.
Prof. ST. Langley, of Pennsyl
vania, one of the best known scien
lists of the country, has been elect
ed Secretary of the Smithsonian In
stitution. This selection has no 20
litical bearing, and is most worthily
bestowed.
The official returns from Virginia
are not yet IN, but the Republicans
nlain, ahout 9 nm oy, tho nopula